Abstract
Owing to recent advances in early reperfusion and pharmacological therapies, the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has considerably improved over the past decades. However, the mortality rate remains high at ~40-50% after AMI when complicated by cardiogenic shock. Although immediate coronary revascularization of the infarct-related artery has been the only evidence-based treatment, temporary mechanical circulatory support with a microaxial flow pump (Impella) has become another therapeutic option supported by randomized trial data in highly selected patients. Here we summarize the latest evidence concerning clinical challenges in patients with AMI and cardiogenic shock.